Host-specific microbiome-rumination interactions shape methane-yield phenotypes in dairy cattle.

ABSTRACT: Enteric methane emissions (EMEs) negatively impact both the environment and livestock efficiency. Given the proposed link between CH₄ yield and the rumination time (RT) phenotype, we hypothesize that this connection is mediated by the gut microbiome. This study investigated the RT-microbiome-EME connection using rumination-bolus, fecal, and rumen microbiomes as non-invasive proxies for identifying low-EME cows. High-RT cows ruminated 94 minutes longer per day (20%) and exhibited 26% lower EME than low-RT cows, confirming a strong RT-CH₄-yield association. Microbial analysis revealed conserved methanogen diversity across the rumen, bolus, and fecal microbiomes, though functional differences were evident. High-RT cows had a greater abundance of Methanosphaera stadtma

SUBMITTER: Castaneda A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12108071 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature